The race for the World Trade Organization Director-General is gradually becoming crowded and intriguing as Mexico became the latest country to nominate candidate for the position.
The nomination of a high-profile international trade expert, Jesus Seade Kuri, by the North American nation takes the number of candidates aiming to succeed outgoing WTO DG, Roberto Azevêdo to six including Nigeria’s candidate, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
While accepting his nomination on Monday, June 8, the WTO on its site said: “Mexico, on 8 June 2020, nominated Mr Jesús Seade Kuri for the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current Director-General, Mr. Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced he will step down on 31 August 2020.”
Recall The New Diplomat reported on Tuesday that the trade body has accepted the nomination of Okonjo-Iweala as Egypt’s earlier rejection of the Nigeria’s bid failed to deter WTO from accepting her nomination.
Ahead of Mexico, Nigeria, Egypt, Republic of Benin, Kenya and international heavyweight–United Kingdom have all nominated candidates with tailor-made credentials and antecedents for the WTO DG position.
Jesus Kuri is a former Ambassador to the GATT, a former Deputy Director-General at the WTO and recently involved in concluding the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement as Deputy Secretary for North America.
Mexico is expected to rally support of North American countries including the United States and Canada to weigh in on her side since they all belong to the same North America geo-political bloc and they all recently signed to NAFTA.
His unique experience in global trade negotiations and policies is something diplomacy experts see as a threat to Okonjo-Iweala’s emergence ahead of the election billed for 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Though Okonjo-Iweala has been shaking up the WTO DG race since her nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari last week, following her popularity among Western diplomats and interests, but her critics, according to the politico “argue her expertise lies more in finance than trade.”
Also, a diplomat posited that “getting the Western buy-in is a thing, while having the back of other nations at the homefront in Africa is a different ball game entirely.” He added that “Nigeria’s ability to rally Egypt, Kenya and Benin Republic who have nominated candidates for the position and the AU to reach a consensus on Okonjo-Iweala would be the underlining factor of whether she gets the Western support or not.”
Meanwhile, the WTO while announcing its timetable by the Chair of the General Council, David Walker, said the nomination period will close on 8 July 2020.
“Shortly after the nomination period has closed, candidates will be invited to meet with members at a special General Council meeting, present their views and take questions from the membership,” WTO said.
